he is believed to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'he is believed to' is grammatically correct and is commonly used in written English.
It is used to express the idea that people think something is true, but cannot confirm it. For example: "He is believed to have played a key role in the organization's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He is believed to still be living among IS.

Vice

He is believed to have died immediately.

Independent

He is believed to be in Afghanistan.

The New York Times

He is believed to have been killed.

The Guardian

He is believed to be in hiding.

The Guardian

He is believed to be well.

The New York Times

He is believed to have killed himself.

The New York Times

He is believed to be unarmed.

The New York Times

He is believed to have survived.

The New York Times

He is believed to be the Mets' longest-tenured employee.

The New York Times - Sports

He is believed to be fighting with his father's troops.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he is believed to", ensure the source of the belief is clear or implied. If possible, specify who holds the belief to enhance credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "he is believed to" excessively, as it can create a passive and impersonal tone. Consider active constructions when the subject is known and emphasizing agency is important.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is believed to" functions as a modal construction to express an opinion or assumption without definitive evidence. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

21%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he is believed to" is a common and grammatically correct way to express an assumption or opinion without concrete evidence. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its prevalence in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Wiki sources, reflecting a neutral tone. Alternatives like "he is presumed to" or "it is thought that he" offer nuanced options for expressing varying degrees of certainty. Remember to ensure clarity about who holds the belief when using "he is believed to" for stronger communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is thought that he

Replaces the passive voice with a more direct construction, focusing on the thinking rather than the belief.

it is presumed that he

Suggests a stronger degree of likelihood based on available evidence.

he is presumed to

A more concise version of the original, using 'presumed' instead of 'believed'.

people think he

Simplifies the phrase, using a more direct and informal tone.

he is rumored to

Indicates that the information is based on unverified rumors.

the assumption is that he

Highlights the presence of an underlying assumption influencing the belief.

reports suggest he

Attributes the belief to external reports, implying a degree of investigation.

he is said to

Indicates that the information is based on hearsay or general opinion.

it's understood that he

Implies a common understanding or tacit agreement about the information.

it is alleged that he

Introduces a claim that has not been proven, often in a legal or contentious context.

FAQs

How can I use "he is believed to" in a sentence?

Use "he is believed to" to express an assumption or widespread opinion about a person's actions or whereabouts, such as, "he is believed to be in hiding".

What are some alternatives to saying "he is believed to"?

Alternatives include phrases like "he is presumed to", "it is thought that he", or "he is rumored to", each carrying slightly different connotations of certainty and source.

Is it grammatically correct to say "he is believed to"?

Yes, the phrase "he is believed to" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express an opinion or assumption without definitive proof.

What's the difference between "he is believed to" and "he is known to"?

"He is believed to" suggests an assumption or unconfirmed opinion, while "he is known to" implies that there is evidence or general knowledge supporting the statement.